Camp, Huckleberry to debate

Published 8:00 pm, Friday, September 17, 2004

A debate by candidates for the 4th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives is set for northern Michigan Oct. 21.

Seven-term incumbent Dave Camp, R-Midland, and Democratic challenger Mike Huckleberry, a Greenville restaurant owner, reportedly accepted the invitation of the League of Women Voters of the Grand Traverse Area.

A League spokesperson said word was awaited on whether Libertarian Party candidate Al Chia Jr. of Saginaw will participate.

The debate's time and site will be announced, the League spokesperson said. A likely time was said to be 7 p.m.

In Midland on the same evening, a live question-and-answer session for political candidates is scheduled to be shown on MCTV, a public access station seen by customers of Charter Communications. That program is a cooperative effort of the League of Women Voters of the Midland Area and MCTV.

Huckleberry sought debates in the district's eight largest cities. Camp, who did not commit to that number, mentioned the need to be in Washington, D.C., on House business. The Grand Traverse area debate is the first to be announced.

Huckleberry backers plan Oct. 2-3 activities

The Huckleberry campaign announced plans for an Oct. 2-3 "Camp Out" on the family farm of Larry Olyer near Greenville.

Gates open at 2 p.m. Scheduled are children's games, starting at 4 p.m., a frankfurter roast, horseshoe tournament, bonfire and overnight camping in tents and campers participants bring to the site, and a light breakfast on Sunday.

Donation of $20 a car is requested, but a flier tells people who've lost their jobs to "join us for whatever you can give."

Clean-up and teardown are to take place by 1 p.m. Oct. 3.

Maps and more information will be given to people who make reservations by calling (616) 225-9334.